Weather News

Rain continues to swamp Illawarra and South Coast

Rob Sharpe,
Tuesday June 25, 2013 - 12:51 EST

Heavy rain has brought localised flooding to parts of the South Coast and Illawarra, with the risk of further heavy falls today.

Nowra has gained 150mm in the 24 hours to 9am with a running total over 200mm for this event. This is their heaviest rain in at least 13 years. Batemans Bay also gained its heaviest June rainfall in 24 years of records with 83mm.

Goulburn has had their heaviest fall in seven years with a whopping 102mm in 24 hours. This rainfall total would have been handy if it was spread over multiple days, however this rain rate led to an evacuation of some residents and damage to crops.

On the coast winds have been peaking near 80km/h on the coast while Cabramurra has gusted to 100km/h. The strong winds have led to an increase in seas and wave heights with wave heights averaging 5 metres off Batemans Bay, with peak waves at about 10 metres.

Sydney has just missed out on the heaviest rain in recent days as the low pressure systems have either gone over head or just to the south. The city has only picked up 12mm in the last 28 hours with the sun bursting forth this afternoon ahead of further rain this evening and tomorrow. This afternoon will be the first time in four days the temperature will lift above 14 degrees.

The Illawarra and neighbouring parts of the South Coast are likely to bear the brunt of the rainfall during the rest of today with widespread falls of 20-50mm There is the risk of heavier isolated falls that could lead to flash flooding.

Tomorrow, rain is likely to affect the same areas, including Sydney during the morning, before rain clears during from the south through the day. Sydney should see easing in the afternoon before rain clears at some point in the evening. On Thursday the ground will have a chance to dry slightly with only the chance of the odd shower for coastal locations.